Closest I can say to have gotten to lasting awakening is that discussions on the topic increasingly leave me numb, bored, vaguely annoyed.
Conversation
I love discussing the craft of contemplative practices and all the weird stuff it entails.
But what is or isn't a good/worthy/relevant "goal", "path", "mindset", "model" or whatever? Strong meh.
1
3
There seems to be very little merit in discussing such topics at length, even though some discussion is always needed.
Replying to
So too for the hyperorthodoxy that sometimes pops up.
- The "purpose" of the practice, ethically, spiritually or socially
- The "correct" thing to want from your practice
Boring!
1
1
If Holly in sales wants to use mantra meditation to be more efficient at work, I don't really see why this concerns me.
I know it used to bother me, but it just seems sort of pointlessly conceited.
1
3
Like telling people that trimming fat to look good is a silly, fatuous reason to exercise.
You may think so - I often do - but since when is your opinion so fucking important?
1
1
It's the same sort of feeling I get from people sticking their noses in other people's business without due cause.
Is being technically correct more important than making a relevant, net positive impact *where possible*? Probably not, right?
1
So a lot of this is inspired by realizing I've been kind of an asshole to some people on these topics, some of the time.
But I have to say, the amount of callousness people will engage in to feel unnecessary pride in their own approach is... Grim.
1
It suggests nothing so much as abiding insecurity on our part.
1
And not a %, but majority of the discussion I see on awakening gets to be about that real fast.
Not "what's a cool way to practice," or "have you tried doing this?" or even "this is a good source on that."
Instead, "you need this for that," "but this philsophy says" ad nauseam.
1
2
Again, not saying those can't be relevant topics. But if the aim is to seriously discuss practice, they feel really boring & irrelevant.
1
1
Anyway, that's my caffeine-fuelled nightly rant taken care of, so now it's time to try for sleep.
G'nite.
1